2015 Recipient

Renée Macdonald

VancouverShoemaking

With no formalized program of study available for shoemaking in North America, Renée Macdonald created her own educational path to learn her craft. Renée honed her skills and learned about shoe construction, design and materials through completing an introductory shoemaking course, working as a shoe retail associate and, finally, as a shoe repairer. In 2012, Renée opened her one-woman shoemaking practice called Westerly Handmade Shoes, from which she designs and crafts her bespoke shoes – offering her clients beautiful shoes that can be worn and loved for years to come.